2011 Cullen Diana Madeline Cabernet Merlot

97 Points - James Halliday, Wine Companion

“An 80/12/4/3/1% blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, malbec, cabernet franc and petit verdot; 18 months in French barriques (48% new). The bouquet is perfumed and very attractive, but doesn't prepare you for the sheer intensity of the quite beautiful palate, with gloriously juicy redcurrant and cassis cradled by fine tannins and integrated oak.”

96 Points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

“Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, the Cullen landscape: all are written in a clear, deliberate, careful script here. Interestingly for a cabernet sauvignon it’s as much or more of a water-colour style than it is an oil painting. Bay leaves, pencils, mulberries, boysenberry and subdued blackcurrant. There’s enough there, it’s right before your eyes, but it’s not shouting at you, just stop and listen and it’s all there to take in. Herbal notes, fraying, crunch them between your fingers and they disintegrate. Tannin comes with the taut, heavy, foreboding strum of a double bass, incalzando. It’s a wine of presence, and yet it’s neither large nor loud; it makes complete sense, even when it doesn’t.”

96 Points - James Halliday, Wine Companion

“Attractive bright lighter red fruits on offer with almost strawberry-like aromas and vanillin; pretty and alluring. The palate has quite supple, sweet tannins and good mid-palate presence. Balanced and even, finishes fresh.”